Folding sectional top table



Aug. 16, 1955 J, BELL 2,715,558

FOLDING SECTIONAL TOP TABLE Filed Oct. 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTOR.

Josw/ L fin/DER BY BELL.

AT OR Y-S Aug. 16, 1955 Filed Oct. 19, 1954 J.L.BELL

FOLDING SECTIONAL TOP TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5.

FIG. 7.

HVVENTUR.

JO5PH LAND-ER BELL United rates Patent Oi'fice rornmo SECTIGNAL TOP TABLE Joseph Lander Bell, Staten Island, N. Y., assignor to Portable Tables, Inn, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 19, 1954, Serial No. 463,151

6 Claims. ($1. 311-90) This invention relates generally to articles of furniture, and is particularly directed to foldable or collapsible tables and the like.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail comprises generally at least one pair of legs pivotally connected to a table top and swingable between an operative, depending position and a collapsed position disposed in side by side relation underlying the table top.

Heretofore, as is well known to those versed in the construction of folding tables, it was considered necessary to fold the table legs either diagonally inwards under the table top, or along the margins of the table top. Hence, tables were collapsible only to the size of the table top, except in the case of extremely large tables. This problem is particularly acute in tables employed for games, picnics and sir i at uses which must be transported to and from the desn ed location either manually, or in small vehicles, and which are frequently stored in closets and other relatively small and often congested places.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a table construction of the type described which overcomes the above mentioned difliculties, and collapses or folds to an extremely small size, occupying substantially 59% at most, the space required by previous folding table constructions of the same erected size. More particularly, the table construction of the present invention permits not only of folding the table legs into the top, but

also of folding or doubling the table top upon itself. The

instant invention also contemplates the provision of a leg unit adapted for attachment to a sectional table top, to define a table having the above mentioned advantageous characteristics.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved collapsible table construction having the features and advantages referred to in the foregoing paragraph, which is quick, easy and safe to operate, which eliminates the possibility of accidental collapse, and which in its closed or collapsed condition defines a conveniently portable case completely concealing the table legs and adapted to be employed for containing and carrying various articles, as desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of furniture of the type described which is simple and staunch in construction, durable in use, neat and attractive in appearance, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a table constructed in accordance with the present invention in its collapsed or folded condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the table of Fig. l in its set-up or operative condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the table of Figs. 1 and 2 in an intermediate condition, during the setting up or collapsing operation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a leg unit constructed in accordance with the present invention, the leg unit being illustrated in operative or open position and partly broken away from clarity of understanding;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing a table construction in accordance with the present invention in set-up condition;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view showing the table illustrated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view showing the table of Fig. 6 in partially collapsed condition, one pair of table legs being folded.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a table top, generally designated 10, and supporting legs 11, 12, 13 and 14.

The table top includes a pair of hollow, complementary sections 16 and 17 hingedly connected together along adjacent sides, and each associated with one pair of legs. That is, the legs 11 and 12 depend from the table top section 16, while the legs 13 and 14 depend from the table top section 17.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sections 16 and 17 are generally rectangular in configuration, and each provided with a peripherally extending, depending wall or flange, as at 18 and 19 respectively. Pivotally connecting the sections 16 and 17 together are a pair of hinges 24), 20 which attord the sections relative movement between the operative, open or relatively flat extended position of Fig. 2 in which adjacent portions of the flanges 13 and 19 are in face to face abutting engagement, and the closed, folded or collapsed position of Fig. l in which the undersurfaces of the table top sections are in facing spaced relation and the flanges 18 and 19 in edge to edge engage ment about their peripheral extent. A releasable hook and pin, as at 21 may be provided on the members of one hinge 20 to releasably hold the latter, and hence the table top sections in open condition, while a suitable locking device 22 may be provided on the flanges 18 and 19 for releasably holding the sections in their closed condition. If desired, an appropriate handle 23 may be provided on one of the flanges 18 to facilitate manual carrying of the collapsed table.

Secured to the undersurfaces of the sections 16 and 17 are identical leg units, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 4 and generally designated 25. The leg unit includes a frame generally designated 26, preferably fabricated of angle stock, and formed to provide an elongated frame member or strap 27 and a pair of parallel spaced, laterally inwardly extending, facing arms 28 and 29. Specifically, the frame member 27 includes a vertical wall 30 and a horizontal flange 31 extending inwards from the upper edge of the vertical wall. The arms 28 and 29 include vertical walls 32 and 33, respectively, extending inwards and at right angles to the vertical wall 30, and horizontal flanges 34 and 35 on the upper edges of the walls 32 and 33, respectively, extending inwards from and at right angles to the horizontal flange 31. Portions of the horizontal flanges 34 and 35, as at 37 and 38, respectively, are severed and bent downwards, for a purpose appearing hereinafter; and, the horizontal flanges 31, 34 and 35 are formed with a plurality of spaced, fastener receiving apertures 39.

The leg 11 is disposed inwards of the vertical wall 30 and has its upper end pivotally connected, as by a pin 41 to the last named wall, adjacent to one end thereof. The leg 11 is retained inwards of the wall 30 by a tubular spacer 42; and, the pivot pin 41 is preferably disposed at right angles to the last mentioned wall to mount the leg for swinging movement between its operative, depending position of Fig. 4 and its collapsed position of Fig. 7 disposed on the inner side of and parallel to thewall 30.

A two link foldable strut 43 has its opposite ends pivotally connected, as at 44 and 45, to the inner side of the vertical wall 39 and outer side of the leg 11, respectively, and is disposed at a 45 degree inclination when the leg is in operative position, so as to fold into the space between the vertical wall 30 and leg 11 when the latter is collapsed. i v Extending diagonally between the leg 11 and frame arm 29, and disposed longitudinally, but not laterally in a plane at right angles to the plane of the strut 43 when the leg is in its depending condition, is a rigid strut or bar 47. The strut 47 has its end portions 48 and 49 bent or angulated with respect to the intermediate, major bar portion so as to be parallel to each other and lie respectively against the inner side of the leg 11 and outer side of the flange portion or tab 38. The strut end portion 48 may be secured to the leg 11 by the fastener 50, while the strut end portion 49 is pivotally connected to the tab 38 by a pin 51 disposed in substantial alignment with the pivot pin 41. It will now be seen that the leg 11 is braced in all directions when in its operative position by the struts 43 and 47 which are arranged in right angularly disposed planes, while swinging movement of the leg about the axis of the pin 41 to its collapsed position alongside of and parallel to the wall 30 is permitted by swinging movement of the strut '47 with the leg about the pin 51. The strut 47 will thus lie longitudinally in the plane of the leg 11 and its swi'nging axis at all times, so as to be disposed, with the leg 11, within the frame walls 30, 32 and 33 when in collapsed condition. Of course, suitable stop means 46, 'see Fig. 6, may be provided on the links of the strut 43 to prevent inadvertent folding or collapse of the latter.

.The leg 12 is disposed outwardly of the frame wall 30 and pivotally connected to the latter by a 54, which is substantially parallel to and remote fromthe pin 41. Hence, the leg 12 is swingable about the axis of the pin 54 which is at right angles to the wall 30, between the operative depending position of Fig. 4, and the closed 9; collapsed position of Fig. 7, in which the leg is disposed outwardly er and parallel to the wall 30, being s palc ed from the latter by, the tubular spacer 55. As best seen in Fig 7, the legs '11 and 12 are disposed in their collapsed condition in parallel spaced relation on opposite sides of the frame wall 30 so as to occupy a relatively small space.

A two link foldable strut or brace 57 extends between the leg 12 and wall 30, defining substantially 45 angles ther'ewithwh'e'n the leg is open, and has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the inner side of the leg and the outer side of the wall 30 by pivot pins 58 and 59, respectively. As best seen in Fig. 7, the strut 7 is foldable upon closing movement of the legll into the space between the leg and the frame wall 30. A rigid bar or strut 61 extends diagonally between the leg 12 and frame 'arm 28 and is disposed, both longitudinally and laterally in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the leg 12 and pivotal axis 54. Further, the end portions62 and 63 of the strut 61 are bent toward the frame arm 29, bothlying in planes parallel to the strut 57 and wall 30. The strut end portion 62 is secured to the inner side of the leg 12, as by the previously mentioned pin 5 8, and the strut end 63 is disposed in facing engagment with respect to the outer side of the flange portion or tab 37 and pivotallyconnected to the latter by a pin 64 disposed coaxially with the pin Viewed otherwise, the strut end portions 62 and *63 As mentioned in connection with leg 11, the struts 57 and 61 of leg 12 are disposed in planes at substantially right angles when the last mentioned leg is open, so that the struts aifo'rd maximum firmness and bracing to the leg. Here again, suitable stop means 60, see Fig. 6, are preferably provided on the links of the foldable strut 57 to prevent inadvertent collapse of the latter.

As the pivot pin 64 is in alignment with the pivot pin 54, it will be seen that the strut 61 swings with the leg 12 upon opening and closing movement of the latter about the aligned axes of the pins 54' and 64. In addition, the heretofore described outwardly offset construction of the rigid strut 61 permits co'mplete closing movement of the leg 12 into parallel relation with the frame wall outwardly thereof. That is, the strut 61 extends transversely across and below the wall 30 when the leg 12 is in its collapsed condition; and, where the legs are of such strength and spacing as in the illustrated embodiment, the strut 61 will also extend transversely across and below the leg "11 when both legs are in their collapsed condition.

As best seen in Fig. 7, the entire leg unit frame 26 is disposed within one of the table top sections 16 with the elongated frame member 27 disposed parallel to the axis the hinges 20 and spacedly within the peripheral wall 13. Suitable fasteners 66 may be inserted through the holes 39 to secure the flanges 31, 34 and directly to the underside of the table top section 16. If desired, an additional bar of angle stock 67 may be secured to the underside of the table top section 16 spaced between the frame arms 28 and 29 for increased rigidity and staunchness.

An additional leg unit, generally designated 70, including a frame 71 and the legs 13 and 14, is constructed and is fixed secured to the underside of the table top section 17 in the same manner as described in connection with the leg unit 25. v

In order to set up the table of the present invention, it is only necessary to swing the table top sections 16 and 17 apart from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 3', whereupon the legs 11, 12, 13 and 14 will fall to their depending, operative position in which they may be locked by, the foldable struts 43 and 57, and the corresponding foldable struts 72 and 73 of the leg unit 70. The table top sections may be positively retained in their open or extended relation by securement of the hook and pin 21, best seen in Fig. 5.

To collapse the table, it is only necessary, after release of 'thehook '21 and the struts 43, 57, 72 and 73, to swing the legs ofcach leg unit about their respective pivotal connections into the hollow of the associated table top section. In order to insure collapse of the legs completely into the table top sections, it is of course necessary to collapse the legs 11 and 14 prior to collapsing the legs 12 and 13, as the ofiset strut 61 of the leg 12 is adapted to underlie and extend across the frame member 27 and leg 11, while the offset strut 74 of the leg 13 is adapted to underlie and extend across the frame member 71 and leg 14, when all of the legs are in their collapsed condition (Fig. 4). With the leg units 25 and each collapsed entirely within its associated hollow table top section, the sections may then be swung about their hinged connection into closed, edge to edge engagement, see Fig. 1, for ease of carrying and economy of space in storage.

, In its folded condition, the sections 16 and 17 of the table top 10 combine to provide a neat and attractive, entirely closed casing which completely conceals and protects the leg units, and which is adapted to contain a variety of particles, such as may be used with the table, or otherwise.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a collapsible table construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and which is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable table, comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, each of said sections comprising a frame, a pair of table legs pivotally connected individually at their upper ends to each of said frames, respectively, and individually foldable from extended or table supporting positions to retracted positions in which they lie parallel to each other and to the pivotal axis of said hinged sections, each of said section frames having a part disposed adjacent the end of the section remote from and parallel to the line of fold of said sections and also having parts adjacent the opposite sides, respectively, of the companion section extending perpendicularly to said line of fold, and double leg-bracing means for each leg foldable therewith in relation to the companion frame section to and from leg-retracted and leg-extended positions, said double leg-bracing means for each leg comprising a pair of members one of which is secured to the companion leg and to the adjacent one of said last mentioned parts of the frame section so as to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement transversely of said line of fold, and the other of said pair of members being secured to said first mentioned part of the companion frame section and to the leg to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement parflel to said line of fold.

2. A foldable table, comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, each of said sections comprising a frame, a pair of table legs pivotally connected individually at their upper ends to each of said frames, respectively, and individually foldable from extended or table supporting positions to retracted positions in which they lie parallel to each other and to the companion section frame, each of said section frames having a part disposed adjacent the end of the section remote from and parallel to the line of fold of said sections and also having parts adjacent the opposite sides, respectively, of the companion section extending perpendicularly to said line of fold, and double leg-bracing means for each le foldable therewith in relation to the companion frame section to and from legretracted and leg-extended positions, said double leg bracing means for each leg comprising a pair of members one of which is secured to the companion leg and to the adjacent one of said last mentioned parts of the frame section so as to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement transversely of said line of fold, and the other of said pair of members being secured to said first mentioned part of the companion frame section and to the leg to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement parallel to said line of fold, said one of said leg-bracing members being pivotally connected to the aforesaid companion frame part for coaxial pivotal movement with the companion leg, and the other of said leg-bracing members being connected to said other frame part on a pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the pivot axis of the companion leg.

3. A foldable table, comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, each of said sections comprising a frame, a pair of table legs pivotally connected individually at their upper ends to each of said frames, respectively, and individually foldable from extended or table supporting positions to retracted positions in which they lie parallel to each other and to the pivotal axis of said hinged sections, each of said section frames having a part disposed adjacent the end of the section remote from and parallel to the line of fold of said sections and also having parts adjacent the opposite sides, respectively, of the companion section extending perpendicularly to said line of fold, and double leg-bracing means for each leg foldable therewith in relation to the companion frame sec- H011 to and from leg-retracted and leg-extended positions, said double leg-bracing means for each leg comprising a pair of members one of which is secured to the companion leg and to the adjacent one of said last mentioned parts of the frame section so as to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement transversely of said line of fold, and the other of said pair of members being secured to said first mentioned part of the companion frame section and to the leg to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement parallel to said line of fold, said first mentioned frame part comprising a strap disposed edgewise of the companion top section, said two legs of the companion top section lying at opposite sides, respectively, of said strap longitudinally thereof, when said legs are in said retracted positions, and said other of said bracing members comprising a pair of toggle links which, in the col lapsed condition of the toggle and in the retracted position of the companion leg, lie parallel to each other between the companion leg and the adjacent side of said strap.

4. A foldable table, comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, each of said sections comprising a frame, a pair of table legs pivotally connected individually at their upper ends to each of said frames, respectively, and individually foldable from extended or table supporting positions to retracted positions in which they lie parallel to each other and to the pivotal axis of said hinged sections, each of said section frames having a part disposed adjacent the end of the section remote from and parallel to the line of fold of said sections and also having parts adjacent the opposite sides, respectively, of the companion section extending perpendicularly to said line of fold, and double leg-bracing means for each leg foldable therewith in relation to the companion frame section to and from leg-retracted and leg-extended positions,

said double leg'bracing means for each leg comprising a pair of members one of which is secured to the companion leg and to the adjacent one of said last mentioned parts of the frame section so as to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement transversely of said line of fold, and the other of said pair or" members being secured to said first mentioned part of the companion frame section and to the leg to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement parallel to said line of fold, and-horizontal tablesurface forming parts fixed to said frame sections, respectively, and having depending outer edge flanges pivotally connected together to provide the hinge for said top hinged sections, and releasable interengageable means on said flanges, respectively, for releasably holding said top sections against relative pivotal movement.

5. A foldable table, comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, each of said sections comprising a frame, a pair of table legs pivotally connected individually at their upper ends to each of said frames, respectively, and individually foldable from extended or table supporting positions to retracted positions in which they lie parallel to each other and to the pivotal axis of said hinged sections, each of said section frames having a part disposed adjacent the end of the section remote from and parallel to the line of fold of said sections and also having parts adjacent the opposite sides, respectively, of the companion section extending perpendicularly to said line of fold, and double leg-bracing means for each leg' foldable therewith in relation to the companion frame section to and from leg-retracted and leg-extended positions, said double leg-bracing means for each leg comprising a pair of members one of which is secured to the companion leg and to the adjacent one of said last mentioned parts of the frame section so as to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement transverse'ly of said line of fold, and the other of said pair of members being secured to said first mentioned part of the companion frame section and to the leg to brace the leg, in the extended condition thereof, against movement parallel to said line of fold, said first mentioned frame part comprising a strap disposed edgewise of the companion top section, said two legs of the companion top section being pivotally connected to opposite sides of said strap, and each of said other of said bracing members being pivotally secured to the same side of said strap to which its associated leg is secured.

6. A foldable table comprising a pair of hinged top sections relatively foldable from extended co-planar positions to retracted side by side positions, a frame provided at the inner surface of each of said sections, said frame comprising an elongated portion extending substantially parallel to the fold line of said sections and spaced laterally thereof and laterally spaced frame portions extending from said elongated portion toward said fold line, a pair of legs pivotally mounted at opposite sides, respectively, of said elongated frame portion adjacent said extending portions, respectively, first brace means pivotally interconnecting each leg and the side of said elongated frame portion to which said leg is mounted; and second brace means pivotally interconnecting each leg and the adjacent extending frame portion; said second brace means each being connected to the inner side of the associated leg, one of said first brace means being connected between the inner side of the elongated frame portion and the outer side of associated leg, and the other of said first brace means being connected between the outer side of "said elongated frame portion and the inner side of the associated leg, the second brace means associated with said one first brace means being disposed longitudinally but not laterally in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said one first brace means, and the second brace means associated with the other of said first brace means being disposed both longitudinally and laterally in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the leg to which it is connected and the pivotal axis of the pivotal connection of said last mentioned leg to said elongated frame portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,491,568 lepper Apr. 22, 1924 1,812,196 Brown June 30, 1931 1,920,577 Malinowski Aug. 1, 1933 2,362,116 Covell Nov. 7, 1944 2,508,627 'Spiegel et a1. May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,020,718 France Feb. 10, 1953 

